Colombia finalizes shift to a 42‑hour work week

From 15 July 2026 Colombia will complete the phased reduction of the legal weekly work limit mandated by Law 2101 of 2021. The maximum workweek will fall from 44 to 42 hours for employees in the public and private sectors who hold standard labor contracts. The change does not alter monthly salaries, but raises the hourly wage because the same pay is spread over fewer hours.

The reform excludes independent contractors, members of Congress, the armed forces and police, minors, and workers in hazardous or specially regulated jobs. In parallel, the surcharge for work on Sundays and public holidays will rise to 90 % on 1 July 2026 and reach 100 % on 1 July 2027. Companies must adjust payroll systems to reflect the new hourly rates and surcharge levels. This step concludes a schedule that began in July 2023, gradually moving the workweek from 48 to 47, then 46, 44 and finally 42 hours.